Coach: NFL Fans, Not Players, May Be The Problem For Gay Athletes

While much of the conversation about out gay athletes has centered around how these athletes would accepted by their teammates, NFL coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals suggests that the problem lies not withiin the locker room, but among NFL fans.

“I don’t think the locker room would have any problem with it,” Arians told FOX Sports' Ross Jones by telephone in Wednesday. “The problem would be with the fans. I think especially opposing fans. Some of the things that are said are over the top and out of control that I can imagine what some fans would say to an openly gay player.”

Arians made a point to emphasize that harassment would not be as likely from an openly gay player's comrades on the field.

“As a coach and I can probably speak for our players too, I don’t think anybody would have any problem with it,” he said.